MacBook Pro frustration

Wednesday, January 3. 2007

Well, Apple, well,

beginning of December 2006 I thought it would be nice to have a new Laptop to play around with some photo software and get a speed bump for my Al PB 4G bought end September 2003. A MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo seemed to be a decent option. I also hoped that Apple had improved their quality management and I would not go through the nasty experience I had with my Al PB to have the screen replaced 5 times until it deemed ok (you might remember the white spots and the uneven illumination issues Apple had with their first 15" Aluminum PowerBooks). The fact that Apple was really fair with their replacement and repair policy mitigated the issues, however it was still annoying to spent hours in discussions with Apple Care reps and wait for a repair and return.

I ordered my 2.33 GHz MBP C2D 160 gig CTO matte on Dec-01-2006. It was promised to arrive Dec-21-2006, therefore I was very pleased to receive 4 days later the note, that it will ship Dec-05-2001. After TNT trying to hunt me down for some days hold it in my hands Dec-12-2006.

I booted up the nice box, but immediately recognized that something is strange with the screen. It was not obvious for me the first time. After working with it for half a day, I recognized stressed eyes. Further examinations of the screen showed the following issues:

  • very small horizontal viewing angle, moving the head up and down for some centimeters already resulted in color shifts on the lower or upper area of the screen
  • a strange kind of glitter all over the screen (looked like dust, even though the screen was clean)
  • uneven illumination (especially a bright stripe on the bottom of the screen)
  • minor, but still annoying, a red stuck pixel and some more Grey stuck pixels


MacBook Pro boxes piling up


OK, OK, Apple, still being positive I called Apple care and they offered me a replacement which might arrive prior to Christmas, evtl. shortly after Christmas. After signing a waiver form (to make sure that I don't keep two MacBooks) I could keep my first one. Some google research disclosed that I am not alone with this issue: It looked like the the supplier has manufacturing problem. My display (open Display Preferences, click Color, click Open Profile, scroll down to list item 13) has the following parameters
  • Display Manufacturer #00000610
  • Display Model #00009C57
Today (03-Jan-2007) version two arrived. After quickly booting it up I saw that it had the exact same issues. The stuck pixels are gone, but the viewing angle is still bad. Display Model is again #00009C57. After an other hour talking to (very supportive) Apple agents I am now waiting for version three.


Lets see, if this one gets better. If not, I might stick with my PB 4G 15" and hope for better Quality management @ Apple.
-gramels

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